Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Write Decisively

Poetry is perhaps one of the most sophisticated forms of written communication.

No one can disagree with this sentence, which is exactly why it's terrible. It says nothing.

So how do we fix it so it says something? How do we get readers to stay and read, rather than yawn and leave?

Easy. Start by killing perhaps. It's a weasel word that makes sentences flimsy, indecisive and weak. It's a qualifier that repels readers. Here, take a look:

Poetry is one of the most sophisticated forms of written communication.

Now, take it one step further and remove all the wishy-washiness:

Poetry is the most sophisticated form of written communication.

Now that's something people will read and react to. Hard to believe how three tiny little words can ruin an entire sentence.

But it's not necessarily true, you think. I can't just make a statement like "Poetry is the most sophisticated form of written communication" without proving it. That's why I need to qualify it somehow. That's why I had to use "perhaps" and "one of."

Instead of worrying if it's true and hiding behind weasel words, make the statement and see what happens. Don't be so afraid of being wrong. Your readers might agree, or they might disagree. But at least they will read you.